Warnick bested second place's Mike O'Donnell from Methuen, Mass., by more than one second. When asked the last time a Fairfield public school runner had won a New England indoor track championship, Warde head coach Tim Foster-- who was the Fairfield High School indoor track as well-- could not name a boy or girl who had done it the past two decades.

Foster has been impressed with Warnick's progression, especially considering he's only in his third year of running competitively indoors.

"He's shattered the school records," Foster said. "Some of the times were outstanding, and he's shattered them."

NEW ENGLAND'S BEST
Fairfield Warde High School's Harry Warnick leads the field Saturday on his way to winning the New England high school indoor championship in the 1,600-meter run in Boston. Warnick is the first Fairfield runner to win a New England title at least since the town split into two public high schools in 2004. less

NEW ENGLAND'S BEST
Fairfield Warde High School's Harry Warnick leads the field Saturday on his way to winning the New England high school indoor championship in the 1,600-meter run in Boston. Warnick is the ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

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NEW ENGLAND'S BEST
Fairfield Warde High School's Harry Warnick leads the field Saturday on his way to winning the New England high school indoor championship in the 1,600-meter run in Boston. Warnick is the first Fairfield runner to win a New England title at least since the town split into two public high schools in 2004. less

NEW ENGLAND'S BEST
Fairfield Warde High School's Harry Warnick leads the field Saturday on his way to winning the New England high school indoor championship in the 1,600-meter run in Boston. Warnick is the ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Warde's Warnick wins 1,600 at New England Indoor

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Warnick passed State Open champion Clark Shurtleuff from Amity, who finished 14th. Two of the top seeds in the 1,600 pulled out prior to the race, giving Warnick more confidence.

"I had so much adrenaline," he said. "I realized I had a chance to win it."

What pleased both Foster and Warnick most was the senior's ability to run a savvy race. Warnick did not qualify for nationals in the mile despite finishing first, due to the slower, calculated pace the race took.